Vikings' Malik Willis rumor could come back to bite Packers in free agency

Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) high-fives fans after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have a chance to leapfrog the Green Bay Packers with one free agent signing.

The Vikings have an immensely talented roster, except for the quarterback position. There are legitimate doubts that J.J. McCarthy can ever work things out to be a standout QB.

Enter Malik Willis.

Willis is a highly sought after free agent after two standout seasons as the Packers' backup quarterback. He looked good every time he filled in for Jordan Love.

His price point will be too high for the Packers to bring him back, creating a potential bidding war for the top quarterback available on the open market.

ESPN attempted to simulate what Willis' free agency might look like in a new article on Wednesday, and the end result is that insider Dan Graziano sees Willis signing with the Vikings.

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Vikings beat writer Kevin Seifert writes that the Vikings would offer Willis a one-year, $20 million contract, essentially a nicely paying prove-it deal.

"At the very least, the Vikings want to acquire a quarterback who will push J.J. McCarthy in a summerlong competition for the starting job," Seifert writes. "Could that be Willis? The truth is he will have better opportunities elsewhere with a clearer path to a starting job. And he'll certainly get better financial offers. But the Vikings would be offering him one season to throw to wide receiver Justin Jefferson and play in coach Kevin O'Connell's downfield passing offense. For someone with only 155 career attempts, Willis could produce the type of season that would make him a very rich man in 2027."

Other teams will likely offer more years, but if Willis wants to bet on himself, he could take the single year to play in a strong spot and parlay that into an even larger contract next offseason.

"Willis goes to Minnesota here," Graziano writes after considering the options. "Sure, there are higher offers and more guarantees with the Cardinals and Jets, but I don't really like the idea of a two-year deal. Worst case, Willis gets hurt or plays poorly, leading Arizona or New York to cut him. Best case, he is great ... and then underpaid in 2027. But playing for O'Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, as well as throwing to Jefferson, would give Willis the best chance to have a huge year and really cash in next offseason."

Willis' free agency will be a hot topic until he signs. A Vikings outcome would have some extra intriguing angles to it.

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